Spontaneous cerebrospinal fistulae can simulate secretory otitis media or be discovered at myringotomy, but the diagnosis is frequently made after one or more episodes of meningitis. Congenital perilabyrinthine fistulae are extremely rare, and unlike translabyrinthine fistulae there is usually no sensorineural hearing loss. This is the first reported case of a congenital meningocele through the tegmen in a child. An 11-year-old boy presented with signs and symptoms which mimicked serous otitis media. A cerebrospinal fistula was produced at myringotomy and this was closed surgically via an endaural approach. A CT scan defined a defect in the tegmen tympani anterior to the superior semicircular canal.